A Celebration of Topps: HoF Pitchers 1952-present
n49th
Posts: 30 ✭✭✭
Hello,
I am new to the board and wanted to share a project I’ve started to celebrate the rich history of Topps.
Basic research shows that there have been 40 HoF pitchers during the Topps era.
A little more research shows that 30 of them can represent the first 30 years with NO omissions, NO repeats, and NO rookies. It is a wonderful coincidence when you think about it.
Added bonus for avoiding rookies (beyond cost)…the maligned multi-player RC.
Nearly a quarter of this run would have been affected:
Niekro, Hunter, Jenkins, Carlton, Seaver, Ryan, Sutton, Fingers, Morris
Now, each player can be showcased on their own as they deserve.
Only Lee Smith’s 1982 RC breaks this amazing streak (again, no rookies), but the remaining 10 can also represent a different year.
My focus is on each Topps design and the players themselves rather than grade, value, or RC status. This will not only keep my budget in check, but will also showcase this keystone brand for what it is…awesome.
My selections are based on eye appeal, imagery, and significance of the year to the player if possible.
I’m looking forward to sharing my progress with you all!
Chris
Comments
It looks like you have a great eye for quality. Nice cards!
Welcome aboard!
Thank you!
First time having a clear and narrow collecting focus, so am having a blast so far.
That's great to hear!
Card collecting is a broad, mind-numbing market. It's more rewarding to fine tune your focus.
12 years ago, I decided to focus on quality over quantity.
You really can enjoy cards and the chase over half a lifetime (or more!). Good luck with yours!
BTW, i'm a baseball RC collector, mostly HOF guys
Wow!!! Good job!!! Nice looking set!
PS Under no circumstances are you to explain to my wife that such a “clear and narrow” strategy exists!!!
Live long, and prosper.
Thinking about it, some of the best games ever played were pitching duels. I never cared for the multiplayer rookie cards either, so here is my best Fergie Jenkins.
Amazing Fergie! Far out of the budget for me to snag a ‘67 9, but that is a great card.
Agree on multi-player RCs. Value and significance aside, they are hard for me to embrace.
haha…before this project, I would have had the exact same request!
Truly all over the map for most of my 45 collecting years. Other than this little diversion, I have a tiny Kershaw PC and a few modern autographs. Literally less than 10 cards.
Still keep an eye out for cool/unique Kershaw cards, and would love to add a low grade Jimmie Foxx from his playing days in 2022 That’s about it!
Great looking cards,
Great project! I applaud the focus as well. Which Foxx are you looking for? I’m a big fan and have always said if I could afford it he would be my main focus.
Yaz Master Set
#1 Gino Cappelletti master set
#1 John Hannah master set
Also collecting Andre Tippett, Patriots Greats' RCs, Dwight Evans, 1964 Venezuelan Topps, 1974 Topps Red Sox
I highly recommend adding a '74 Marichal to your collection; it perfectly captures one of the coolest windup's in baseball history! Here's my perfectly centered 8 with 4 perfect corners (the tiny fisheyes in the black areas must have kept it from being a 9 or 10). This card in 8 and 9 is very reasonable.
I appreciate it! Long overdue for something that keeps me coloring within the lines, so to speak.
Can you believe that an all-time legend like Foxx could still be considered undervalued? Huge fan as well. What a career.
Not set on any particular card, but love the ‘33 DeLong and ‘38 Goudey (with cartoons) in particular. Am in no rush, so will just wait for one that speaks to me (and my wallet).
Do you have any Foxx in your PC?
Im a '33 Goudey fan. A lot of 1st cards for HoF'ers.
Jimmie has been getting much better attention from collectors.
Not my best centered card (lol), love the bold colors though
Hey emar,
Pretty cool on your double XX...
Fabulous card, and arguably the greatest final year Topps issue around. Believe me, I wanted Marichal for ‘74, but logistically, it would not work out with the constraints I have in place. Thanks for sharing yours!
Centering is secondary when it’s as bold and beautiful as that copy! A keeper for sure.
Glad Foxx is getting the attention he deserves, but not too much attention! Fear his prices may spin out of control even for lower grades.
Thanks! @n49th and @GroceryRackPack
I'd like to see cards cool off across the board. I've put collecting on hold for a year so far.
I'm thinking the new price norms have been put in place.
Save up and get your bid in
Love the look of the DeLong set! Yes, I have 2 vintage Foxx cards in my collection, thanks for asking. The Uncle Jack’s is extremely rare. The Prop Montiel was a generous gift from my friend Tim - @1951WheatiesPremium .
Yaz Master Set
#1 Gino Cappelletti master set
#1 John Hannah master set
Also collecting Andre Tippett, Patriots Greats' RCs, Dwight Evans, 1964 Venezuelan Topps, 1974 Topps Red Sox
Card 10 arrived today. Not the most thrilling addition, but no less important to my vision for the project.
1984 Topps PSA 9 Lee Smith
Fun mailday for this project.
One vintage and 5 modern (okay, junk wax) additions. Those 5 do have a lot going for them, though: low pop, mostly early career, and a nice representation from this unforgettable era.
Card 11 of 40
1973 Tom Seaver #350
PSA 7
His 7th of 21 base Topps cards
Why his ‘73? Peak Seaver, pure and simple. 2nd Cy Young. Career high WAR. 2nd World Series appearance. 7th consecutive All-Star appearance. On and on. My first of “The Big 3” 70’s guys.
Cards 12-16 of 40
1988 Greg Maddux PSA 10: His 2nd of 23 base Topps cards
1989 Tom Glavine PSA 10: His 2nd of 21 base Topps cards
1992 Mike Mussina PSA 10: His 1st of 18 base Topps cards (but not a RC)
1997 Mariano Rivera PSA 10: His 2nd of 19 base Topps cards
2000 Pedro Martinez PSA 10: His 8th of 16 base Topps cards
Awesome 73 Seaver
Thanks! It is a pretty clean 7, but the right edge is way more jagged/frayed than I originally thought.
I understand that's not too uncommon for '73. Guess the stock was a big step down from prior years.
Would fit right in if it were OPC, though!
The modern/junk wing is nearly complete. Just need a 1990 Randy Johnson.
Today’s arrival:
Cards 17-19 of 40
1991 John Smoltz PSA 10: His 3rd of 22 base Topps cards
1994 Trevor Hoffman PSA 10: His 2nd of 18 base Topps cards
2001 Roy Halladay PSA 10: His 4th of 16 base Topps cards
Friday’s arrival marks the halfway point to this project.
Other than the 1990 Johnson, it’s all cintage from here!
Card 20 of 40
1981 Rich Gossage #460
PSA 9
His 9th of 18 base Topps cards
Why his ‘81? Forget what the card back says…Goose was one of the most dominant relievers in the game ever. Not even up for debate, really.
Coming off another spectacular season in 1980, Goose led the AL in saves for a 3rd time (and the majors twice)…good enough for both a top 3 Cy Young and MVP vote. He was on pace to be even better in 1981 before the strike had other plans. A ridiculous 0.77 ERA with 20 saves in 32 appearances.
I love his ‘81 card because it is a great action shot of Goose in top form. Only his ‘79 tops it, in my opinion. The bold colors and All-Star banner only adds to the appeal.
If there’s a downside, it’s my first non-lighthouse PSA slab. Somehow, I don’t mind at all. Just thrilled to bookend the vintage wing to the project with this one.
CURRENT PROGRESS
20 of 40
50% complete
Update below.
Would also like to share a few pics of the custom box I’m storing them in.
It holds 50 slabs, so plenty of room for as long as I’m around:
All in all, I’m having a great time with this. Just wish I had started sooner!
That is a very cool case and collection of HOF pitchers!
Latest arrivals:
Cards 27-29
1957 Bob Lemon
1964 Juan Marichal
1972 Rollie Fingers
En route:
1975 Nolan Ryan PSA 7 (his 8th of 27 base Topps cards)
1976 Bert Blyleven PSA 8 (his 6th of 23 base Topps cards)
Current Progress: 31/40 (78% complete)
Do you already have cards picked out for current players who will be on this list, such as Verlander and Kershaw for example?
I do have it narrowed down, but decided to hold off until they are at least retired. A lot can change between now and the time they are inducted.
Front runners for the Big 5:
2002 Sabathia
2005 Greinke
2007 Verlander
2011 Scherzer
2012 Kershaw
With today’s arrival, the 70’s are complete.
Card 33, 7 to go:
1974 Steve Carlton
I've always loved that 63 Koufax, and think it's his nicest card photo of them all.
Progress has slowed but not halted! 3 more off the list, 4 to go.
1955 Hal Newhouser, 1962 Don Drysdale, 1958 Whitey Ford.
Well it took longer than anticipated to cross the finish line, but I made it with the '53 Satchel I picked up last month.
Here are all 40 Topps era HOF pitchers!
Had a total blast with this mini-project. Thanks for looking.
Well played… I really like the Feller and the Paige. The Paige looks better than a 2. Tell me what I am missing…
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
Those are super-cool.
Now you should do all their rookie cards in 8s or higher!
Very cool. focused collection. Love the storage box, artwork, and checklist.
Very cool collection of HOF pitchers post war since the Topps era!
Well done.
A couple of my favorites.
